There is a lovely walk from 88 from Lower Mill Estate, down a little bit of Thames Path, into Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Lower Moor wildlife reserve. It’s about a 4 mile round trip.
There is a slight variation you can take to the route which I will attempt to detail below for you… depending on the time of the year, the path of less ‘wilderness’ might be useful 🙂
Step 1
Coming out off 88… take a left and walk on around Howells Mere lake. At the bottom corner you will see the Wildlife Path exit from the residential part of Lower Mill Estate. You should have been given the code.
Step 2
As you head out onto the wildlife path keep to the right and head down the long path…
Step 3
At the bottom of the straight path, take a right into the woods, Thames Path signed route.
Step 4
Follow this path through the woods a little way, hopefully it’s not too over grown, it’s usually fine – but sometimes there is more undergrowth than others. Keep walking though – you’ll be fine 🙂
Step 4
You’ll eventually get to a gate, which takes you out of the Lower Mill Estate reserve area.
Soon after this gate the path has an exit to the left that takes you to a quiet road. Keep to the right (straight on) and you can continue along the river in the woods, it’s nicer than the road, but the road does run parallel, so if it’s a little overgrown then you could take the road.
Step 5
Head straight down until you get to the ‘footpath’ junction that will lead you into the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve.
Step 6
At this junction you can choose to go left of the trees or to the right of the trees. Left takes you through a meadow… through a wood and around to the Cafe. Taking the right hand path takes you through a well maintained path around the fields but then leads to some beautiful lake views. (You can always do the opposite coming home) One thing to remember if going to the right, there is a small field with a friendly Bull in it – you’ll see the sign. It’s fine, it’s the footpath and the middle of a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve, he’s not going to hurt you if you’re being nice. I didn’t try waving a red sheet though so…
Taking the Left
Taking the Right
Step 7
If you took the left, you’ll see a car park and will notice the entrance etc. If you took the right path make your way through the reserve and likewise you will come across the cafe.
Step 8
You made it! Well done – enjoy a coffee and cake! Before walking back 😉 or getting picked up.
Map of the route
The Cafe
The Dragonfly Cafe is open on Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm. (please check that hasn’t changed) They offer a selection of homemade cakes and drinks – it really is a beautiful setting. They do occasionally have some lunch bagels too. Please do check their website for the latest information. Even if the cafe isn’t open it’s a perfect little walk from Lower Mill Estate.
